it's official! (but not what you think) =)

I am so excited to announce that my etsy store is now open! For the past few years, I've wanted to do some design work on the side (mostly because I really miss doing creative stuff like this). I have created some really cute Christmas card designs, and you'll notice that most of them have scripture references/quotes on them-- to focus on the real meaning of the season.
Here's the link: http://www.etsy.com/shop/CutieTooley?ref=top_trail

Here are a couple of examples of my cards-- I would love to design your family's card this year =)








(yes-- I did change their names for security!)

lately

Actually, I got on this blog to kill some time-- (as I was getting ready to give the boys a bath, I didn't realize Joseph had pooped in his diaper, and some got in the tub-- ick! So as soon as the boys are asleep, I'll be disinfecting the tub. Ahhhh-- what a wonderful use of a Tuesday night.....

On a better note-- the boys' sunday school teachers told us Sunday that Matthew and Joseph (who are in classrooms catty-corners from each other), saw each other in their classrooms, and ran out in the hall and met in the middle and gave each other the biggest hugs! (like they hadn't seen each other in 3 years, let alone 30 minutes). It's nice to know they love each other amidst the fighting at home. The teachers said it was the sweetest thing ever. =)

Also-- Saturday, we took the boys to their first pumpkin patch-- (pics to come later)-- it was so much fun! We went on a hayride, a mini-train ride, bounce houses and a picnic lunch-- what a fun day! My favorite part was watching Matthew climb the bounce house stairs (kind of like a ladder) to slide down the slide-- I was so proud seeing him climb up all by himself, and was reminded how big he's getting-- it was just 3 years ago he was my baby-- and now he's such a big boy!

That's all for tonight-- time to get the clorox!

happenings....

I haven't written in a while, and thought I'd give a few updates from our little world--

Brett started seminary the end of August, and is taking Greek, Old Testament, Spiritual Formation, and Hermeneutics (which is how to study the Bible). He is taking classes Monday and Tuesdays, and working Wed-Fridays (and studying in between!)

Joseph has started saying a few words lately- and oh so cute! He can now say Car, Dada, Mama (I think he's just said it once, but I'm counting it!), Uh-Oh!, and a few others I can't think of right now. All of his teeth (besides his 2-year molars) are in, or sprouting. He's walking great (almost running!), and loves talking on my cell phone (but he holds it on the top of his head, not against his ear- but really cute!)

Matthew is doing great-- it amazes me the words and sentences he's forming and how quickly he's learning (although he's learning some stuff I wouldn't like him to-- no more saying darn-it!) He is now old enough for the preschool choir at church, and absolutely loves it.

I've been keeping busy with the boys, and also trying to give Brett space so he can study. Brett and I did get to have a night out a couple weekends ago (thank you, Reagan!), and went to Uno's pizza and a real concert at the Bass Hall in Fort Worth. In my "spare" time, I'm also trying to start up a little side business designing Christmas cards, birth announcements, etc. More to come on that!

Hope you and yours have a wonderful week-

meeting Miss Abby

Last weekend, we made our way to Waco to meet the newest addition to the Maddox clan, Miss Abby. We had a great time visiting with Andrew and Kari, and of course, getting to meet Abby! I'm so excited that the cousins are so close in age =).

Abby, Matthew, and Joseph

ditto--

proud parents!

Miss Abby

Matthew's Birthday

Our Matthew is now the big 3! We had a great weekend back in July celebrating. On Friday, we had a few of his friends (and their mommies) over with lots of hot dogs to celebrate. Saturday, we went on a real choo-choo train in Fort Worth with Nana and Papa, and then topped off the weekend with donuts on his real birthday on Sunday, July 11th. Here are a few pics-


Matthew's party- with a kid sized table =)

on the choo-choo train

Nana, Papa and Joseph

opening presents

just fun =)

Matthew about to eat his cake (it's supposed to be a train!)

Joseph waiting on his ice cream

Matthew helping mommy make ice cream- yum!

kentucky....

Okay-- I'm a month late, but over July 4th weekend, we had a wonderful time visiting (and meeting) Brett's extended family at the High Family Reunion in Tompkinsville, KY. Since it was quite a drive, we made that our family vacation-- and had a wonderful time!

Joseph sleeping in his new "big-boy" carseat-- with Matthew's foot also gracing the picture =)

seeing the ducks march in at the peabody hotel in memphis, tn

Matthew and Joseph watching the ducks (they loved it!)

we drove through Erin, TN, just so I could get a picture (I know, cheesy, but it was fun to see other parts of KY and TN besides I-40!


The house that Brett's Grandma grew up in-- so neat!


The house that Brett's granddad grew up in (we seriously had to hike through a jungle to see it)

Erin, Joseph, Matthew, and Brett at Andrew Jackson's home, The Hermitage.

cruise!

Last week, Brett and I took a 4-day cruise to celebrate our 5th (can you believe it?!?) anniversary-- a couple months early. Many thanks to my mom and dad (aka Nana and Papa) for watching the boys-- we had a wonderful time just relaxing and getting some much needed sleep. Here are some pics from our trip =)


our cruise ship- ecstasy


waiting in a very long line to get on the cruise....


our pretty flowers waiting for us when we got to our room! (thanks mom and dad!)


our first day


formal night (of course we had to dress up!)


Brett on one of the pyramids (now in ruins)

mayan ruins-- the stones I'm on led to an 8 mile trail to the beach


the beach in cozumel


miniature golf-- hole in one!

our dinner table-- great fun getting to know 2 other couples- one from colorado the other from michigan (our waitress was in the middle)